THE elements tried but failed to spoil the day for Gerry McInally as he drove into office at Swansfield last Sunday.

Rain for the early starters and an ever-strengthening wind in the afternoon didn’t deter well over 70 members supporting the new club captain.

The winner of the stableford format day was the diminutive figure of Keith Richardson, who claimed that his victory was down to the fact that he was a much smaller target to be affected by the wind and the rain.

Keith recorded, considering the conditions on the day, a quite brilliant 39points, just one in front of, appropriately enough, Steve ‘The Weatherman’ Barron. Kevin Murphy was third, with Tom Lang the leading left hander in fourth place by virtue of countback from Johnny Marshall.

As usual, the captain invited the ladies and juniors and some guests to play on the day.

Gillian Gordon battled through the breeze to finish with a score equalling that of the winning man to win the ladies prize and Luke Denny took the junior prize.

Best guest in the gusts was past Alnwick member John Eggleston.

Only two twos were recorded on the day, by Russell Cooke and Tim Pearson.

The Longest Drive prizes were awarded to Wayne Belisle on the 6th and Russell Cooke on the 18th. One other longest drive which really should have won a prize was the 544-mile round trip completed by past-captain Jimmy Crilley, who came back to support Gerry on his big day.

Our thanks go to Gerry, ably assisted by his wife and children, for a brilliant day enjoyed by all.

Thanks also to Melanie for some lovely food and to Dan for keeping the bar going all day and beyond, to Tim Pearson for doing a great job with the day’s results and last but not least to the members who supported the Captain’s Raffle, all the proceeds of which were donated to the club’s Junior section.

MEDAL No.8 was played on May 24. The winner was Val Sim, 85-17-71, second was Pam Fawcus, 91-14-77, and third was Liz Ramsbottom, 110-25-85.

This was followed on May 28 by Medal No.9 when the winner was Pam Fawcus, 83-14-69, second was Louise Henstock, 109-34-75, and third was Jan Allan, 96-19-77.

In almost gale-force winds on May 29, the Spring Foursomes was won by Sue Hornsby and Barbara Colling on countback from Lynda Pinder and Jan Allan. Lynda and Jan will also go forward as RVI foursomes qualifiers.

The winner of the nine-hole competition was Pat Bell, with runner-up Margaret Marshall.

ANOTHER howling gale at the Old Links last weekend but Robert Balmbra II proved to be the lurcher for all seasons with a brilliant gross 70, nett 67, to collar the Slater Cup.

His first major of the season seemed in the bag but a double bogey six at the last almost cost him his lead.

Unfortunately, Steve Glass in second place could not quite produce the goods and his nett 68 was one short. A fine trio – Mick Dawson, Nev Butler and Ian Gray – shared third place with nett 69s.

A standard scratch of 71 on the rapidly blossoming links layout showed how tough the conditions were: Seb Douglass, captain Spank and Bob Thompson got the only twos on the day.

This Friday sees the Warkworth heavy cavalry invade Scotland for the Club Outing Trophy at The Hirsel and, with a record 72 members in the convoy, a cracking day is envisaged. All participants to check bus and tee times in the clubhouse.

Wooler

THE first round of the new nine-hole Summer League was held last Thursday and it was Geoff Brown who won on 18 points ahead of Donald Stewart and Stuart Brodie both on 17. The format is the best four scores from the seven rounds played.

Saturday was the third round of the Chairman’s Cup and in the strong winds it was the youngsters who came to the fore. James Spencer came out on top on 40 points, ahead of Stuart Brodie on 37 followed by David Crisp and Stuart Lowrey both on 35.

This now means David Crisp and John Eccleston are joint leaders of the Farm To Freeze Order of Merit on 20 points, with Brian Tait on 19 and James Spencer on 18.

The Gents’ Invitation on Sunday was again spoiled by high winds but of those who managed to finish, it was the team of Alistair Sharp with P Beveridge and C Nicholl who won on 71 points.

Runners-up were George Wilkinson, J Latimer and B Hartley on 70, with third place going to Geoff Brown, R Garland and M Colven.

Nearest the pin on the third was Andy Clarke from Goswick and the longest drive on the 14th went to Peter Turnbull from Bamburgh.

Entries for the Gents’ Open on Saturday, June 18, can be phoned in to Stuart Lowrey on 07790 179937, £100 for first net.

In the ladies section, Janet Moor won the second Logan Rosebowl on 71 ahead of Susan Brown on 72, while Kathleen Brydon and Eileen Jeffrey beat Anne Brown and Susan Brown to win the Daily Mail Fours on a countback after both teams came in with a net 76.

Susan Brown won the NPF Qualifier on 74 ahead of Sheilagh Curle on 75.